Laws vs. Love

On this second Sunday of Pentecost, our Gospel of Mark (2:23-3:6) continues with a theme of conflict. The laws of the Sabbath were examined when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about his disciples plucking grain to eat, and Jesus healing a man’s withered hand, both on the Sabbath. Jesus defends the laws of Sabbath in its “original life-enhancing meaning”, saying to the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?”

Retired Pastor David Nelson reminds us that the Pharisees were well-meaning people who were trying to preserve and protect Jewish law. But in doing so, they chose doing the “right” thing over extending compassion as Jesus demonstrated.

Jesus continues to teach that rightness is not always love. Nothing, including law, is more sacred than compassion. What laws would you uphold and support, because tradition says they are the right thing to do?